Workplace accidents happen on a too frequent basis as more and more employers make profits more important than the health and welfare of their employees. Whilst the economic climate might make things quite difficult financially for businesses, they still have a duty of care to protect employees working on their premises.

If you have been injured recently as the result of a hazard or risk at work, it’s time to take action. Whether you were not given the right equipment or made to work with faulty equipment, you will have the right to make a claim. Your injury could also be the result of lack of training in which case you should also get in touch with a workplace accident claims company.

Many workplace accident compensation claims state that long periods of time off work were experienced. Most companies will only pay equipment, you will have the right to make a claim. Your injury could also be the result of lack of training in which case you should also get in touch with a workplace accident claims company.

Many workplace accident compensation claims state that long periods of time off work were experienced. Most companies will only pay you for a short time before switching off your pay completely. This means you’ll be left with no money for your mortgage, your bills or your living expenses. This is why making a workplace accident compensation claim is more important than ever before.

Why should you be made to suffer when an accident in the workplace was not your fault. If you previously alerted your employer to the dangers and they did nothing to remove the hazard, they will probably face charges on negligence grounds. Your employer has a duty of care under Health and Safety law to protect you from hazards in the workplace.

Many workplace accidents occur because of faulty or unsuitable protective clothing, defective equipment or lack of adequate training. Injuries can range from the minor such as an eye infection caused by workplace substances to the loss of a limb and even death.

The most important thing you can do when you have suffered a workplace injury is to get in touch with a personal injury team to speak about your injury and how it happened. They will then be able to tell you whether you have good grounds to make a workplace accident compensation claim. In most cases, when the accident was not your fault you will be eligible to start the claims process. Make sure you choose a compensation claims company that offers a no win no fee promise.

When you clock into work each morning, your mind focuses on the tasks that require your attention. Whether your job is contained entirely within the computer in your cubicle, in the kitchen where you cook, or on a large construction, you know it’s important to keep your head in the game. When a person is injured on the job, however, it may not register immediately what you need to do first, but hopefully co-workers and/or your supervisor are there to help you determine the severity of your injury and assist in your care. An injury that requires a visit to the emergency room will likely result in a Workers’ Compensation claim, which will definitely change your relationship with your employers.

Whether this change happens for the better or worse depends on the situation and the how quickly your case is settled, or if you decide to accept Workers’ Compensation at all. Typically, any employee who qualifies and accepts the benefits waives the right to sue the employer for damages. Therefore, what is received from your Comp claim will go toward satisfying missed wage and any expenses accrued following your injury. If you are unable to come to an agreement with the administrator of your claim and feel it necessary to call an attorney, there could be repercussions that affect your relationship with your employer.

Does this mean you could be fired while on Workers Compensation? It is not uncommon for an employee to worry about being terminated because of on the job injuries. Legally an employer cannot fire a worker for sustaining injuries or filing a claim. Doing so can open the door to a lawsuit for wrongful termination. If you suspect your employers’ attitude toward you has cooled following your injury and you suspect they are looking for a way to edge you out of the company, you should keep all paperwork related to your injury and claim and consult with your attorney about steps to take if it comes to that.

Let’s suppose, however, that your job is not in danger, but tensions over your compensation claim have tested your relationship with your employers. If you have an attorney helping with your case, he/she may be able to offer advice about communicating with them in a civil manner and working toward a resolution that brings you the benefits you need without cooling the workplace atmosphere.

Workers’ compensation insurance safeguards the employees, injured in the course of employment. In many states of US, it is a mandatory policy and is required by every company with employees.

Despite of all the preventive measures, instances of workplace injuries are increasing every year, forcing the business owners to spend huge amounts on compensation claims. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 3.1 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported among private industry employers in 2010.

Hence, it is necessary for every employer to implement effective safety measures, not only to reduce compensation claims, but also to improve workplace safety and employee security.

Employing a comprehensive program, tailored to suit the organization’s specific needs and goals, helps the organization decrease the frequency as well as the severity of injuries at workplace. Following are few ways that can help you in establishing a risk free workplace, which further aid in reducing workers’ compensation claims and related costs.

Implement risk controlling measures
Employees working in industries, manufacturing plants, construction sites, etc., are often prone to on-job injuries and accidents. Working with heavy equipment using hazardous material raises employee safety concerns. Hence, every employer needs to follow a series of steps to improve workplace safety. These steps include – risk identification, risk assessment and risk control.

• Risk identification is identifying the possible hazard/risk. A hazard is anything that could hurt the employee or any other third party. For example, damaged or frayed electric cables are potential sources of accidents at workplaces.

• Risk assessment involves finding of all the potential outcomes of identified risks/hazards and the seriousness of the damage they could cause. In the above mentioned example, frayed electric cables, the harm could be an electrical shock.

• Risk control is nothing but fixing the hazards. The employer should eliminate the hazard; if not, should at least try to make hazards less dangerous. Replacing the damaged electric cords with new ones is one of the risk control measures to avoid electrical shocks.

Risk controlling measures vary according to the nature of the vulnerabilities. However, effectiveness of any step lies in proper review and implementation of safety measures on a regular basis.

Provide safety training to the employees
The next best way to reduce workplace injuries is by emphasizing on-job safety during training. Provide safety training to all the employees about safe handling of equipment, possible risks in the workplace, company safety rules and procedures, emergency procedures (usage of fire extinguishers, etc.), importance of personal protective equipment required on the job, etc. This kind of training helps employees acquire all the skills and knowledge required to be safe in the job location.

For instance, if a worker’s job involves working with sharp objects like broken glass, rusty metals, etc., his potential risks would be cuts and punctures on the skin. These risks could be avoided by providing hand gloves, and by offering an effective training on how to handle such things safely.

Be aware of the fraudulent claims
Insurance fraud occurs when the employees purposely provide some false information to receive the benefits of the claim. According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, insurance fraud costs consumers, employers and insurance carriers at least $80 billion each and every year. Among which, worker’s compensation insurance fraud alone accounts for a considerable percentage.

Use efficient software to track claim costs
Automating and tracking your workers’ compensation claims process is another best way to reduce claim costs. Using effective claims management software eases your work as well as makes the process more accurate. With the help of such software you can instantly see all the expenses by the employee, type of injury, etc. It thus helps you save time and money besides taking control of your workers’ compensation claims.

A comprehensive workers’ compensation program always helps your organization do much more than simply saving the claim costs. It makes your workplace safer, secures employees and finally saves your organization from fraudulent claims.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident at work, while you were on the clock, you may be eligible to receive benefits through Workers’ Compensation. This largely depends upon a number of factors, the most important being the nature of the accident and your injury, your status as an employee, and the laws set by the state in which you live. Because accidents and injuries do vary, there is no set answer to the question of how your personal settlement is determined. When you file your claim, your case will be reviewed by the board that governs Workers’ Comp in your state, and the money owed to you will be determined by them.

How much you can expect to receive may depend on the following factors:

1) What is the severity of your injury received at work? A cut on the hand vastly differs from an injury that effects your mobility, and consequently your ability to walk. It is important to make sure you have all your medical paperwork in order when you make your claim.

2) How much time did your injury cost you? Were you able to go back to work that same day or the next, or were you required bed rest or a hospital stay to recuperate? If compensation for lost wages is a factor, that may determine your final settlement.

3) Are you even eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation, and does the injury you suffered fall under the law’s definition of one? It’s important to know what your state Workers’ Comp laws say about your injury. Full-time employees who are eligible to receive benefits may file a compensation claim if the injury is determined to be work related. If you are not certain, you should consult with the person in your company who handles benefits, usually your Human Resources manager.

The question of whether or not to agree to a settlement in your case is best answered by an attorney who concentrates in personal injury and Workers’ Compensation law. Depending on where you live, agreeing to a settlement may require to waive certain rights, particularly the right to sue the company for damages. If you also feel the compensation offered to you isn’t enough to make up for work time lost and other expenses accrued following your accident, you should discuss your options with a lawyer.

Income protection insurance generally provides benefit when you become unemployed temporarily due to injury, accident, or illness. Even though it covers 75% of your gross annual income, not many companies offers you a redundancy cover. So, read the terms and conditions of the policy whenever you purchase one to understand more about the inclusions.

What is Redundancy Insurance
Redundancy insurance or unemployment cover refers to policies that pay monthly income benefits in case of involuntary redundancy or job loss. It is a type of income protection insurance, but the benefits can be temporary or permanent. Depending on the duration of cover, the premiums will also vary. For instance, you might need to pay a higher premium if you want benefits for more than one year. At the same time, remember that all income protection policies do not cover for redundancy.

Duration of Coverage
The extent of cover depends on the insurer. The standard period for this type of insurance is 12 months. If you need cover for 24 months, a higher premium may apply.

Eligibility Requirements
In Australia, redundancy cover is given only for people who meet certain criteria. In order to apply, you must be an Australian resident. Some insurers also accept 457 visa holders. You should also be between 18 and 65 years of age. As redundancy cover is not meant for unemployed people, it is important that you should be engaged in full time employment for a period of 12 months. This rule applies even when you want to make a claim. Moreover, you will only get the benefit if you have become unemployed due to illness, injury, or accident. It does not cover for unemployment after a fixed term contract. Furthermore, self employed people are not covered by the policy.

Key Features
The application process is really simple – online or over the phone. You will be covered on the same day. The level of cover does not depend on your income, and it ranges between $2,000pm to $4,000 pm. About 75% of the income can be covered. For $2,000 pm benefit limit, you will need to pay around $194 to $277 per annum. In case of accidental death, your family will receive a single lump sum payment as decided by the insurer. Most insurers also offer additional benefits including expatriation benefit, carer’s benefit, and funeral benefit. Expatriation benefit is intended for people who need to stay overseas for employment purposes, while carer’s benefit can be received when you quit your job to care for an immediate family member. Funeral benefit covers burial or cremation costs in the event of an accidental death. When you apply for income protection insurance, it is recommended that you also choose a redundancy cover.